Hypertension Flashcards
what is hypertension?
raised BP of > 140/90 mmHg
how many measurements of BP is taken with hypertension?
3 separate measurements when sitting and rested
what are the risk factors for hypertension?
age, race, obesity, alcohol, family history, pregnancy, stress, drugs
what drugs are risk factors for hypertension?
non-steroidal, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, sympathomimetics
what are the outcomes from hypertension?
accelerated atherosclerosis - MI, stroke, peripheral vascular disease
renal failure
what is the common trigger for hypertension?
likely genetic failure of autoregulation control of blood vessel wall constriction
what are the rare triggers for hypertension?
renal artery stenosis, endocrine tumours
what are the signs and symptoms of hypertension?
usually none, may get a headache, may get transient ischaemic attacks
what are the indications for further investigations in hypertension?
young patient, resistant hypertension despite adequate treatment, accelerated hypertension, unusual history
what is a phaeochromocytoma?
adrenergic tumour releasing adrenaline into system causing hypertension in the adrenal gland
what is Cushing’s syndrome
excess water in the system
what is renal artery stenosis?
narrowing of blood flow into kidney making the kidney autoregulation system think that the fluid volume has decreased so it will release more water into the system
what investigations are used in hypertension?
urinalysis, serum biochemistry, serum lipids, ECG, renal ultrasound, renal angiography, hormone estimations
what is the aim of treating hypertension?
to get the BP < 120/90mmHg
what is the treatment for hypertension?
modifying the risk factors, single daily dose of medicine
what risk factors are modified in treating hypertension?
weight loss and exercise
what are the drugs used to treat hypertension?
thiazide diuretic, beta blocker, calcium channel antagonist, ACE inhibitor
what do you monitor with hypertension?
blood biochemistry effects of drugs - sodium and potassium changes and dehydration
why do you monitor hypertension?
treatment need changes overtime
